AmmoLand.com

Bradley Bennett (left) received his Deer Steward Level I certificate from QDMA CEO Brian Murphy in 2008. Bradley was a Deer Steward scholarship winner while he was an undergraduate wildlife student at the University of Georgia. He has since gone on to a career in wildlife management.

Quality Deer Management Association

BOGART, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- In 2012, the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) will award six deserving students with scholarships to attend a Deer Steward course.

For each of the in-person Deer Steward Certification Courses offered this year, QDMA will present at least one student with a scholarship to attend free of charge.

Applications will be accepted from high school juniors and seniors or college students who are interested in wildlife conservation and the Quality Deer Management (QDM) philosophy.

QDMA’s Individual Certification Program includes three levels of potential achievement: Deer Steward I, II, and III. Level I provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the four cornerstones of QDM: herd management, habitat management, hunter management, and herd monitoring. Level II focuses on the application of these principles through hands-on field experience. Level III must be earned through an individual’s long-term service to QDMA and/or the white-tailed deer. Courses must be taken in succession.

2012 Dates and locations:
Level I Courses:

• April 13-16 – Columbus, IN at Hidden Hollow Ranch
• May 11-14 – Andalusia, AL at the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center

Level II Courses:

• June 1-4 – Woodbine, GA at Cabin Bluff
• June 22-25 – LaGrange, KY at Ashbourne Farms

Course details along with scholarship applications are posted at www.QDMA.com. To register online, click “Deer Steward Certification Register Now!” on the homepage. To register by phone, call 800-209-3337.

*Applications must be received by February 24, 2012.

Interested students can contact Matt Ross, QDMA Certification Programs Manager, at mross@qdma.com or (518) 280-3714 with questions.

Each course is limited to a maximum of 50 participants, so register early to reserve a spot at the location of your choice. Registration fees for Levels I and II are $800 for non-members, $750 for QDMA members and $700 for QDMA Life and Sponsor members.

About QDMA
QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with nearly 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com.

Filed under: Conservation News by Ammoland No Comments »

Quality Deer Management Association’s Founder Featured Speaker At Fort Stewart Wildlife Gala

Quality Deer Management Association

FORT STEWART, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) founder Joe Hamilton was recently the featured speaker at the Fourth Annual Wildlife Gala and Venison Cook Off at Fort Stewart Army Installation in Georgia.

The Wildlife Gala, held at Club Stewart in late January, was organized to promote hunting, fishing and many other outdoor recreation opportunities at Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) and the surrounding areas. Attendees included many active-duty and retired soldiers along with their families, and the event was also open to the public.

Hamilton, a certified wildlife biologist, founder of QDMA and current Director of Development, addressed the crowd of more than 225 people on key issues involving white-tailed deer, Quality Deer Management and the QDMA.

Fort Stewart-HAAF currently has nearly 250,000 acres open for hunting, and the area is home to over 350 species of wildlife. Fort Stewart-HAAF receives approximately 50,000 hunter-attempts annually with most hunters trying to fill a white-tailed deer tag.

In 2003, Fort Stewart-HAAF began implementing QDM by designating a Quality Deer Management Zone (QDMZ). In order to produce an even adult sex ratio, older bucks and healthier deer, the QDMZ includes a greater law-enforcement presence, antler restrictions and an intense food plot regime to include both cool- and warm-season plantings. Additionally, Fort Stewart-HAAF monitors its deer herd through check station data collection and an infrared camera survey.

The Wildlife Gala also featured several vendors, food samples, live animals, a shooting simulator and taxidermy displays. The Venison Cook Off had categories for venison chili, miscellaneous venison dishes and a children’s venison cook off. Prizes were awarded to the top three places in each category.

The event was sponsored by USAA, Bass Pro Shops, Navy Federal Credit Union, Critters, Budweiser and Coca-Cola.

For more information on Fort Stewart visit www.stewart.army.mil. Fort Stewart hunting information can be found by navigating to the “About” tab and selecting “Hunting on Fort Stewart.”

About QDMA
QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with nearly 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com.

Media members wishing to join QDMA’s Media Outreach Network can contact Tanner Tedeschi at tanner@qdma.com or by calling (800) 209-3337 ext 1017. If you are already subscribed to the Media Outreach Network but wish to be unsubscribed from the list, please inform Tanner and you will be removed.

Filed under: Conservation News by Ammoland No Comments »